Republican · New Jersey's 11th District · 2026
Joe Hathaway
Hathaway captained football and track teams at Clifton High School, then played football at Yale.
Biography
Born and raised in Clifton, New Jersey, Joe Hathaway captained the football and track teams at Clifton High School before playing varsity football at Yale.1 He graduated from Yale in 2009 with a degree in political science.1 He and his wife, Whitney, live in Randolph with their three young children.1 He remains involved with the Yale Football Alumni Association.1
Hathaway began his professional career as an advance aide in Chris Christie's administration.1 His subsequent work has included corporate affairs, communications and executive operations in healthcare and financial services.1 Before joining elected local government, he served on Randolph's Recreation Advisory Committee.1
He was appointed to the Township Council in May 2022, then won election that November to complete the term.2 His colleagues selected him as mayor for 2025, a position that rotates annually in Randolph.2 He favors keeping development decisions local and matching housing growth to the capacity of roads, schools and emergency services.2
Hathaway calls for lower taxes and restrained government growth, and supports voter identification requirements and the SAVE Act.2 He has also backed extending Affordable Care Act subsidies and completing the Gateway tunnel, while opposing the proposed Roxbury immigration detention facility.2 He challenges Democratic incumbent Analilia Mejia in November.3
Record and controversies
Scope of the affordable housing reduction claim
Hathaway's campaign says he reduced Randolph's state mandated affordable housing obligation by 92 percent while serving as mayor.1 The township's plan filed in March 2026 lists a fourth round prospective need of 320, an adjusted realistic development potential of 28 and remaining unmet need of 292.4 It identifies an additional 73 units to address through redevelopment mechanisms and uses an adjusted obligation of 101.4 The plan's full fourth round response includes redevelopment responsibilities beyond the 28 unit estimate.4
Verification limit: This comparison uses the municipal plan filed March 5, 2026. Later amendments or completed construction were not verified for this comparison.